Bumper Pole Apparatus for Maritime Guidance and Marine Vessel Protection

ABSTRACT

A bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection includes a rod, a handle, and an elongated bumper as the rod includes a first rod end and a second rod end. The handle is terminally positioned to the first rod end and adjacently connected to the first rod end. The elongated bumper is terminally positioned to the second rod end and positioned opposite of the handle. The elongated bumper is rotatably connected to the second rod end. Resultantly, the user is able to grasp and maneuver the bumper pole through the handle as the elongated bumper is positioned in between the marine vessel and the dock during a docking process of the marine vessel.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/461,348 filed on Feb. 21, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bumper pole apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is a rotatable bumper pole that is primarily used in maritime guidance and marine vessel protection enabling a user to manage approach of the marine vessel to other stationary or substantially large structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current maritime products that exist on the market allows rigging of a bumper between a marine vessel and a dock but in a very rigid and fastened sense. Additionally, current maritime products also tend to get caught in between the marine vessel and the dock either damaging the marine vessel or injuring the user during the docking process. Furthermore, the user may have to utilize other equipment or tools to grasp or pull the rope off from the dock during the docking process. Since storage space of a marine vessel is limited, efficiency and multifunctionality of the maritime products that can aid the user in docking process is critical to the user.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bumper pole apparatus that may be taken out by the user during mooring or docking of their marine vessel to allow tactile buffering between the marine vessel and the dock. A bumper section of the present invention rotatably connected to a pole section of the present invention as the bumper section is utilized in between the marine vessel and the dock while the pole section is grasped by the user. The present invention further provides for a hook that allows the user to more easily engage in mooring or docking procedure by hooking onto the dock and pulling themselves in before swapping the present invention around to a buffering feature as the dock is further approached. As a result, the present invention provides a multi-functional maritime product that can be utilized during the docking process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line C-C of FIG. 3, showing the connection between the rod, the handle, the bearing, and the elongated bumper.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the handle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the elongated bumper showing the rigid cavity.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the elongated bumper, wherein the dash lines illustrate the rigid cavity and the cavity wall within the flexible cushion body.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, showing the first section, the at least one intermediary section, and the second section of the telescopic rod.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection and primary utilized during a docking process of the marine vessel. The present invention improves upon any existing bumpers of marine vessels and portable bumpers that are normally utilized by the users. The present invention comprises a rod 1, a handle 7, and an elongated bumper 10 as shown in FIG. 1-2. In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the handle 7 that provides the necessary surface area to grasp the present invention is terminally positioned and adjacently connected to a first rod end 2 of the rod 1. The elongated bumper 10 that functions as a cushion in between the marine vessel and the dock is terminally positioned to the second rod end 3, opposite of the handle 7. The elongated bumper 10 is rotatably connected to the second rod end 3 so that the rotational movement of the elongated bumper 10 enables the marine vessel to move along the dock without getting caught in between the to bodies.

In reference to FIG. 1-2, the rod 1 of the present invention provides the longitudinal length between the handle 7 and the elongated bumper 10 and configured as a linear body with the first rod end 2 and the second rod end 3. The rod 1 is preferably shaped into a cylindrical body in order to eliminate edges and corners that can potentially damages the marine vessel body. In a preferred embodiment of the rod 1, the longitudinal length of the rod 1 is measured in between the handle 7 and the elongated bumper 10 and ranges from three feet to nine feet so that different marine vessels can be accommodated.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the handle 7 that allows the user to grasp the present invention comprises an ergonomic grip 8 and a hook 9. The ergonomic grip 8 is encircled around the first rod end 2 thus delineating the connection between the handle 7 and the first rod end 2. The ergonomic grip 8 decreases the amount strain introduced onto the user's hand while holding the present invention and improves the handling of the elongated bumper 10. Additionally, the ergonomic grip 8 can be covered with friction enhancing material to further improving the comfort level and the handling of the present invention. The hook 9 is adjacently connected to the ergonomic grip 8 and positioned opposite of the first rod end 2. The hook 9 allows a post or other retaining dock structure to be fed through an open break in the hook 9 thus allowing the user to pull their marine vessel nearer to the dock. Furthermore, the hook 9 functions as an over-the-knuckle guard structure to allow insertion of the user's finger's and retention retained therein about the ergonomic grip 8. Furthermore, the hook 9 functions as an extended pole to grasp and pull mooring lines during the docking process. A sleeve can be encircled around the hook 9 to improve the gripping functionality of the post, other retaining dock structure, or mooring lines. In a preferred embodiment of the hook 9, a cylindrical profile and a uniform thickness is extended along the hook 9 with 90-degree right angle crooks in a count of three. However, more organic hook-shaped structures may be employed within the hook 9 as may additional profile geometry as dictated by the ergonomic grip 8.

In reference to FIG. 6-7, the elongated bumper 10 that functions as the spacer in between the marine vessel and the dock comprises a flexible cushion body 11 and a rigid cavity 15. The flexible cushion body 11 is generally uniform in material type and allows the deformation of the material between two bodies that are due to collide with one another otherwise. The rigid cavity 15 traverses into the flexible cushion body 11 in order to complete the connection between the elongated bumper 10 and the rod 1. More specifically, the flexible cushion body 11 comprises a first end 12, a middle section 13, and a rounded second end 14. The first end 12 is terminally connected to the middle section 13 as the rigid cavity 15 traverses into the first end 12. The rounded second end 14 is terminally connected to the middle section 13, opposite of the first end 12. The rounded second end 14 enables the present invention to be inserted into confine area between the marine vessel and the dock as the rounded second end 14 slowly push the marine vessel away from the dock when necessary. The flexible cushion body 11 is preferably made of rubber or form; however, the flexible cushion body 11 is not limited to aforementioned material and can be made of other deformable materials such as cloth, composites, and likewise able to choose between a solid body or a hollowed but closed body producing an air cushion. In order to complete the connection between the elongated bumper 10 and the rod 1, the rigid cavity 15 is concentrically positioned to the second rod end 3 as the rigid cavity 15 is positioned collinear to the second rod end 3. The rigid cavity 15 is rotatably connected to the second rod end 3 through a bearing 17 about the first end 12 of the flexible cushion body 11.

In reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the bearing 17 that reduces the friction between the rotatable connection of the elongated bumper 10 and the rod 1 comprises an outer race 18 and an inner race 19. More specifically, the outer race 18 and the inner race 19 are rotatably engaged with each other so that the inner race 19 can be stationary within the present invention and the outer race 18 can be rotatable around the inner race 19. The outer race 18 is concentrically positioned within the rigid cavity 15, wherein a cavity wall 16 of the rigid cavity 15 is externally connected to the outer race 18. The inner race 19 is concentrically positioned around the second rod end 3 as the second rod end 3 is internally connected to the inner race 19. As a result, when the present invention is utilized by the user, the inner race 19 maintains a stationary position due to the rod 1 while the outer race 18 rotates around the inner race 19 due to the elongated bumper 10.

In reference to FIG. 6-7, the present invention further comprises a plurality of cushion ridges 20 to distribute and absorb external pressure that is applied on the flexible cushion body 11. More specifically, each of the plurality of cushion ridges 20 is laterally extended along the flexible cushion body 11 and positioned in between the first end 12 to the rounded second end 14. Each of the plurality of cushion ridges 20 is radially positioned around the rigid cavity 15 and laterally connected along the flexible cushion body 11 so that the elongated bumper 10 is able to provide uniform rotation about the second rod end 3. As a result, the plurality of cushion ridges 20 and the flexible cushion body 11 are able to collectively absorb external pressure that is applied from the marine vessel and the deck thus improving the structural integrity of the present invention. Additionally, the plurality of cushion ridges 20 can be manufactured as solid body structures or hollowed body structures.

In reference to FIG. 8, the rod 1 further comprises a first section 4, at least one intermediary section 5, and a second section 6 so that the rod 1 can be collapsed and extended for storage purpose and to engage with height levels of the marine vessel. More specifically, the first section 4 is positioned adjacent to the handle 7. The second section 6 is positioned adjacent to the elongated bumper 10. The at least one intermediary section 5 is positioned in between the first section 4 and the second section 6. The first section 4, the at least one intermediary section 5, and the second section 6 are telescopically engaged with each other as each section is able to collapse and extend in between the handle 7 and the elongated bumper 10. Additionally, when the telescopic engagement between the first section 4 and the at least one intermediary section 5 is fully extended, the two sections are locked in place through a spring-loaded ball lock. Similarly, when the telescopic engagement between the second section 6 and the at least one intermediary section 5 is fully extended, the two sections are locked in place through another spring-loaded ball lock. In a preferred embodiment of the rod 1, the telescopic engagement between the first section 4, the at least one intermediary section 5, and the second section 6 allow the longitudinal length of the rod 1 to be changed from 3 feet, 6 feet, and 9 feet, wherein the 3 feet being the collapsible configuration and the 9 feet being the extended configuration.

The present invention can optionally comprise a bumper handle that is connected onto an external surface of the rounded second end 14. The bumper handle forms a loop or strap within the rounded second end 14 so that the user is able to grasp the bumper handle when utilizing the hook 9, transporting the present invention, or storing the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection comprises: a rod; a handle; an elongated bumper; the rod comprises a first rod end and a second rod end; the handle being terminally positioned to the first rod end; the handle being adjacently connected to the first rod end; the elongated bumper being terminally positioned to the second rod end, opposite of the handle; and the elongated bumper being rotatably connected to the second rod end.
 2. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the handle comprises an ergonomic grip and a hook; the ergonomic grip being encircled around the first rod end; and the hook being adjacently connected to the ergonomic grip, opposite of the first rod end.
 3. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a bearing; the elongated bumper comprises a flexible cushion body and a rigid cavity; the rigid cavity traverses into the flexible cushion body; the rigid cavity being concentrically positioned to the second rod end; the rigid cavity being positioned collinear to the second rod end; and the rigid cavity being rotatably connected to the second rod end through the bearing.
 4. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the flexible cushion body comprises a first end, a middle section, and a rounded second end; the first end being terminally connected to the middle section; the rounded second end being terminally connected to the middle section, opposite of the first end; and the rigid cavity traverses into the first end.
 5. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the bearing comprises an outer race and an inner race; the outer race and the inner race being rotatably engaged with each other; the outer race being concentrically positioned within the rigid cavity; a cavity wall of the rigid cavity being externally connected to the outer race; the inner race being concentrically positioned around the second rod end; and the second rod end being internally connected to the inner race.
 6. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a plurality of cushion ridges; the elongated bumper comprises a flexible cushion body and a rigid cavity; each of the plurality of cushion ridges being extended along the flexible cushion body; each of the plurality of cushion ridges being radially positioned around the rigid cavity; and each of the plurality of cushion ridges being laterally connected along the flexible cushion body.
 7. The bumper pole apparatus for maritime guidance and marine vessel protection as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the rod further comprises a first section, at least one intermediary section, and a second section; the first section being positioned adjacent to the handle; the second section being positioned adjacent to the elongated bumper; the at least one intermediary section being positioned in between the first section and the second section; and the first section, the at least one intermediary section, and the second section being telescopically engaged with each other. 